A musical Christmas

Christina Stock Photo
The Morning Garden Club decorates the museum and the archives building of the Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico. A memorial Christmas tree is placed annually next to the piano in the museum honoring club members who have passed.

Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico to host open house extravaganza

By Christina Stock

Vision Editor

Generations of families have been part of the Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico’s annually tradition to open its doors, bringing the joy of the holiday season in a historic fashion. This year the HSSENM Museum, 200 N. Lea Ave., and its next door archives building, 208 N. Lea Ave., open their doors to the public to come and go as they please for the open house extravaganza on Dec. 2, from 1 to 4 p.m.

“The theme is A Musical Christmas and we are doing something that we have never done in the museum,” HSSENM executive director Amy McVay-Davis said. “The rooms on the bottom floor will be themed. For example, we’ll have a winter wonderland and we’ll play that music in that room. Then Frosty the Snowman and Jingle Bells and so on.

“Of course, we want to certainly thank the Morning Garden Club — as always, they put so much time and effort in it. I think it’s neat and special,” McVay-Davis said.

There will be entertainment for adults and children, as well as door prizes.

“Santa and carolers will be greeting — weather permitting — everybody outside on the red carpet. We’ll be literally rolling out the red carpet. The Cyettes, Roadrunners of Roswell High School, led by Mr. Hunley, the Swingers of Goddard High School, led by Mrs. Gonzalez and additional live music will entertain. Also, Peter de la Fuente will be here, it is really exciting.

“He will have a presentation in one of the rooms upstairs. We are also obtaining some new furniture and displays that will be unveiled that we encourage visitors to see on the second floor,” McVay-Davis said.

“The Morning Garden Club has its memorial tree by the piano and that’s one of their traditions, showcasing their memorial Christmas tree,” she said.

A decoration honoring members who passed on last year would be added to the tree, but this year club members are happy to say they have not had a loss in their membership.

“I personally love to have the archives decorated and coordinated with our theme, but also have it beautifully decorated so individuals can rent the facility and giving them an opportunity to celebrate the season in this beautiful ambience,” McVay-Davis said. “With this theme it is more neutral that can link into any event or party. And they help us, because we need the funds. It’s a true blessing to us. We can accommodate 50 to 60 in a sit-down event and in a come-and-go event more. It’s an added opportunity for the community, but helps us additionally with funds.”

The archives themselves are in a separate room. They offer resources for historically interested people, authors and even TV crews have relied on its treasure of newspaper clippings, books and documents going back to the early days of Roswell.

“The archive facility will also be having a musical theme and we will have first-time a silent auction with some neat, unique items, even a Peter de la Fuente,” McVay-Davis said. “We will have book signings in the archive facility, we will have live music and refreshments.

“I think it’s very important — the open house is our way to show appreciation to our community for the support and a time for us to come together during the holidays. With times being hard for everybody we need to have fundraising opportunity for us, but really, it is just a thank you to the community for the support,” McVay-Davis said.

“For individuals that were unable to attend the Peter de la Fuente art exhibit, he has left here a print rack of numerous signed prints, along with him presenting his art. A portion of the proceeds he stated will go directly back to the Historical Society. To me, it’s a celebration of history and art and the holidays,” McVay-Davis said.

For more information, call 575-622-8333 or find them on Facebook at Historical Society For SE New Mexico.

There will be a special holiday Peter Hurd bundle for this event only. Another way to support the society is to become part of its history and purchase a heritage brick, which, according to McVay-Davis, will be put in the historical museum garden after the holidays.

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